Patrick Dempsey’s Future Still Uncertain At ‘Grey’s,’ Would Welcome Katherine Heigl Back

February 8, 2012 10 AM PST

Patrick Dempsey said Wednesday his future at “Grey’s Anatomy” still remains uncertain, but he’s hoping for a resolution soon.

“We have six episodes left to this season, I don’t know what’s happening,” Patrick, who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd on the show, told Access Hollywood correspondent Tim Vincent on Wednesday as he took part in an Amgen Tour of California event in Beverly Hills. “I still don’t know what the future holds for that show or for my role in it… I’d like to get some closure at some point.”

Patrick’s contract with the show is up this season, and he’s previously expressed an interest in carrying on if it allowed him time to devote to one of his other passions – car racing.

Recently, former original “Grey’s” cast member Katherine Heigl revealed she is hoping to come back to the show to wrap up Izzie Stevens’ storyline. Patrick told Tim if that were to happen, he’d welcome her back with open arms.

“She was a great loss to the show, in my opinion,” Patrick said of Katherine’s departure in 2009 to focus on her film career. “She had a great character. She’s a wonderful actress and I would always welcome her back, certainly.”

On Wednesday, Patrick ditched his Seattle Grace scrubs for cycling gear as he joined pros Chris Horner, David Zabriskie and Tom Danielson, as well as Beverly Hills Motor Officers, riding down Rodeo Drive, to announce the Amgen Tour of California will have a Hollywood connection, when the race takes place from May 13-20.

“[I’m here] to announce the Amgen Tour of California… the last leg’s going to start here in Beverly Hills,” Patrick said, noting Amgen’s relationship with Breakaway from Cancer, a sister component to the Amgen race that helps increase awareness of resources available to cancer patients.

“They’ve been a great partner for a lot of cancer survivors and cancer patients and they’ve been supporting the Dempsey Challenge, which takes place in October in Maine,” Patrick added, referring to his own charitable event, which was inspired by his mother’s own cancer battle. “So it’s nice to get a couple of passions together in one event.”

But looking trim in his cycling suit on Wednesday, Patrick joked he had some help in his spandex outfit.

“I have my male Spanx on which helps me look leaner and meaner,” he laughed.